ENG vs IND 2021: Why Was England Cricket Team Wearing Black T-Shirts During The National Anthem?

The first Test between England and India are already underway in Trent Bridge. England opted to bat after winning the toss and have already lost a wicket in the first over as Rory Burns was trapped in front by Jasprit Bumrah. India thus have started on the front foot at a venue that has been lucky for the side in recent times.

Both teams started the day by singing the customary national anthem. The England players were seen wearing black T-shirts during the anthem. It was to stand against racism. Racism has been a longstanding problem in the game of cricket. Teams around the world have done their bit against the practice of racism in the game and on the first day of the Test match England did their bit.

England Players Wearing Black Tshirts During National Anthem

Meanwhile, both tems have made interesting selections for the first Test. India have opted to play with one spinnet in the form of Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja was chosen over Ravichandran Ashwin possibly becuse of his better batting numbers than the offie. Bumrah, Dhami, Siraj and Shardul form the pace bowling quartet for Team India.

One player who showed intent by smashing a hundred on a turning track in Chennai and even played a County game to prepare for the tour during break period is going to warm the bench at Nottingham. Nobody has showed more intent than Ashwin. Has done everything the team asks for.

— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) August 4, 2021

England, on the other hand, decided to go in with a four-man pace attack including Sam Curran, Ollie Robinson and the veterans Broad and Anderson.

The best of India’s wins have come at this venue. In 2007, India beat England in a Test series, winning their only game in Nottingham. In 2018 too, India won a Test match at this venue. Though India lost the series, the win at Trent Bridge proved to be a memorable one.

Playing XIs

India

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

England

Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow, Daniel Lawrence, Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Also Read: ENG vs IND 2021: Twitter Reacts As Ravichandran Ashwin And Ishant Sharma Miss Out